Himalayan Quail
Himalayan Quail ( Ophrysia superciliosa )
The Himalayan Quail ( Ophrysia superciliosa ), also called slope quail, is a species of the family Gamebird. It is the only species of its genus and is endemic to the Himalayas. The Himalayan Quail was last sighted in the 19th century, so it is probably extinct.
Appearance
The Himalayan Quail reaches a body length of 25 centimeters. The females are slightly smaller. In adult males the forehead is white with a black border. The sides of the head, chin and throat are black. Before and behind the eyes, there are small white spots. The skull head is brownish-gray with black narrow stripes. The body plumage is brownish-gray with uniform horizontal black stripes. The wings are brown and slightly lighter than the body plumage. The female is slightly lighter than the male. Forehead, throat and ear patches are zimtgrau pale. Small white spots are also found in her behind and above the eyes. Neck and body top are reddish brown with conspicuous triangular patches. The body bottom is zimtgrau.
The legs are short and strong; Spores lacking. The body feathers are long and lance-shaped and equal in the blood pheasant. The beak is very strong, the tail consists of ten feathers, which are rounded at the end.
Area of distribution and habitat
The range of the Himalayan quail is northern India. It was observed at three locations in northern Uttar Pradesh. The last observation is dated to the year 1890. The few Museumsbälge were all collected in the dry winter months of November to January. which may be due to the fact that it was non-breeding birds that had migrated further north from higher-lying regions. However, their relatively small wings can not assume that it is long-distance migrant. The region of origin of the Museumsbälge underwent, during the last 150 years a drastic change. Intensive grazing has led to here, these are overgrazed the grass slopes and probably could not hold in this region this way. However, it come from the Osthimalaya unconfirmed sightings of birds at the same Himalayan Quail, so there is still a possibility that remnant populations exist.
Way of life
Apparently the Himalayan quail live in small groups of six to 12 individuals. She considers herself preferably in dense undergrowth and steep slopes. Observer described her as shy and wary and reluctant auffliegend. What is certain is that the way feeds among other grass seeds.